Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

T
LC
Dark Cerulean Jamides bochus
Common Cerulean Jamides celeno
T
LC
Lycaenidae
In males, the upper surface is a dark, shiny metallic blue with a broad black band
on the margins of its forewing. The lighter blue female has a smaller area of metallic
sheen. The hind wing has a sub-marginal row of light blue crescent-shaped markings
on a black background. The underside of both sexes is similar and it is darker than that
of any other Cerulean. The prominence of the white markings varies, but is never as
distinct as in the Sri Lankan Cerulean. The forewing has four bands of white streaks
and the hind wing has a ‘>’ mark at interspace 1b. These features allow Ceruleans to be
differentiated from other Lycaenids. The ‘>’ of this species is much deeper. It has two
sub-marginal rows of blunt cresecent-shaped markings on both wings.
If the Dark Cerulean is resting on a leaf, it always perches on an edge to stay alert by
looking forward. It exposes its false head to predators that come up from behind by
rubbing its hind wing.
Though it prefers gloomy habitats, it is also abundant in bean plantations. Its migratory
flights can be seen even at the highest elevations.
The male is the lightest shade of blue in relation to other ceruleans. It is greyish
blue in colour, while the sub-marginal areas of both wings are relatively brighter. The
black outer margin is of uniform width along the forewing. The hind wing has a submarginal
row of black spots. In the female, the black boarder is wider at the apex,
and goes up to the upper margin of the forewing. The hind wing has a sub-marginal
row of cresecent-shaped markings. The undersides of both sexes are light brownish
grey. Its two sub-marginal rows form continuous bands of straight, thick white lines.
The marginal white band also forms a continuous line and is clearly separated from
the outer sub-marginal band. Both the third and fourth white bands from the base of
forewing are regular. The ‘>’ on the hind wing is deep. The tornal spot is usually heavily
capped in orange.
Its resting behavior is similar to that of the Dark Cerulean. They feed on the nectar of
herbs and small bushes. Males visit damp patches on the ground for mud sipping.
It is found in all the habitats, but is restricted to openings when in dense forests.
Dry season form
Lycaenidae
LFPs: Flowers of many Fabacea plants including Gliricidia sepium (jeg udr$kkaÑ),
Phaseolus vulgaris (fndaxÑ) and Millettia pinnata (uÕ=,a lr|).
LFPs: Flowers of various Fabaceae plants including Abrus precatorius (T,s|), Vigna
unguiculata (uE) and Flemingia macrophylla (j,a W|q).
110 Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka 111